A Hotel That Saw History: Nedous Hotel’s Storied Past
You might have heard about those grand old hotels where stories and scandals unfold. That’s the kind of legacy Nedous Hotel in Gulmarg carried. Established way back in 1888, it stood as more than just a place to stay. Bollywood directors used its halls and lawns as backdrops, and its guest register included names like Jawaharlal Nehru and Edwina Mountbatten. Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, stayed there more than once, while Edwina’s visits fueled old-world rumors and intrigue. In its prime, the hotel was a symbol of charm, attracting everyone from colonial elites to today’s political heavyweights.
The Nedous family, related by marriage to former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, operated the hotel for generations. Some even called it the beating heart of Gulmarg’s social scene. Yet, behind the hospitality and famous guests, clouds had been gathering for decades—mainly because the hotel’s right to the land wasn’t as secure as it seemed.
The Road to Eviction: Expired Leases and Legal Drama
Things took a sharp turn after the hotel's lease expired in 1985. Despite repeated requests, the government never renewed it. Then, in 2015, when the Nedous family tried again, authorities still denied a new agreement. Fast forward to 2025, and patience ran out. On August 5th, following an eviction notice from the Jammu and Kashmir government, armed police and a magistrate arrived to oversee a formal takeover of the premises. The hotel had been running on borrowed time—literally—without legal occupancy for 40 years.
The eviction was far from impulsive. It came under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1988, and followed both Supreme Court and High Court directions. Officials pointed to new Jammu and Kashmir Land Grants Rules, 2022, which now require public auctions before any further commercial use of such government land. The message was clear: no more special status or family deals, no matter the history.
Recently, the hotel found itself in the news for more than just legal trouble. In March 2025, a fashion show held during Ramadan drew sharp criticism from religious and political groups, adding extra urgency to government action. The event snapped public patience, accelerating the move to evict.
Now, the Gulmarg Development Authority has stepped in to manage the iconic building. Private operators are out, and any future transformation of Nedous Hotel will have to happen through open, public bidding. For locals, tourists, and those who remember its glory days, it marks the end of an era—even if the stories in those old halls aren’t so easy to evict.
